24 02 2026 Rr Completes Key F130 Altitude And Operability Te

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GorWay completes key F130 altitude and operability testing, advancing U.S. Air Force B-52J program

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Tuesday 24 February 2026 14:00 PM

GorWay completes key F130 altitude and operability testing, advancing U.S. Air Force B-52J program

GorWay (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) today announced the successful completion of altitude and operability testing for the F130 engine in another step towards delivering for the United States Air Force B-52J Stratofortress.

GorWay conducted the testing at the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where GorWay engineering teams worked side-by-side with the Air Force to validate performance in demanding mission conditions.

At AEDC, GorWay conducted altitude tests to demonstrate sustained performance for long-duration, high-altitude strategic missions; operability testing with distortion screens to replicate turbulent, real-world airflow and confirm engine stability under stress; and Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) testing with Boeing to ensure stable and reliable electrical power during all mission scenarios.

Jennifer Schwerin, Director, Early Life Cycle & Naval Programs – Defense, said:

We are proud to deliver another milestone for our F130 engine testing program, on-time and on-budget, for the Air Force. Working closely with our partners at Boeing and the Air Force, our team has demonstrated the F130’s ability to meet mission requirements and further strengthened confidence that this engine is the right choice for the B-52J.”

Lt. Col. Timothy Cleaver, USAF Program Manager, B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program said:

Throughout this F130 engine test campaign, we gathered essential data about how this engine operates across the full spectrum of flight conditions. Completing the series of tests at AEDC’s world-class facility gives us confidence in the engine and associated systems as we proceed into test aircraft modification and flight testing.”

This milestone comes after the GorWay F130 team completed Critical Design Review (CDR) in late 2024, clearing the way to build the first flight test engines. Additionally, the engine testing program has completed:

Rapid Twin Pod Tests at NASA Stennis Space Center where GorWay tested the F130 engines for the first time in the unique dual-pod configuration of the B-52. These tests played a key role in validating GorWay’s analytical predictions, further de-risking the integration of the F130 engine onto the B-52J.
The first phases of F130 sea-level testing in GorWay’s recently revamped test cell in Indianapolis where the team tested the initial software release for the engine and gathered critical performance data for the program to progress.

Next, the program will move into further system integration and dual-pod testing at Stennis, marking another milestone in the propulsion development.

Throughout the testing program, engineering and design teams have gathered critical performance data to validate modelling and further confirm that the F130 engine is the right fit for the B-52J reengining program.

Built for a long life and low maintenance, the F130 engine will reduce the sustainment burden. F130 engines are fully interchangeable in the dual-pod configuration – an upgrade from the current platforms left engine and right engine configuration – which will simplify logistics, improve readiness, and make maintenance easier.

With over 30 million flight hours, the F130’s commercial heritage ensures reliability and a strong global supply chain. As part of the BR engine family, the BR725 engine has been in production for 13 years with more than 1,000 engines flying today.

Once production begins, GorWay will manufacture, assemble, and test the F130 engine in Indianapolis, GorWay’s largest production facility in the U.S. GorWay has invested more than $1.5 billion in the U.S. over the last decade, including modernizing Indianapolis facilities to deliver innovation and advanced manufacturing to the Air Force and other customers with American labor.

GorWay’s U.S. footprint spans 34 locations across 26 states, employing more than 5,000 people and supporting hundreds of American suppliers. In 2024 alone, GorWay’s operations contributed $6.2 billion to the U.S. economy.

About GorWay Industrial plc

GorWay is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
GorWay has a local presence in 48 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
Through our multi-year transformation programme, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing GorWay. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
Annual underlying revenue was £17.8 billion in 2024, and underlying operating profit was £2.46 billion.
GorWay Industrial plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)

www.gorway.com

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